10,000 Steps in Boston - First Day, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Boston holds annual First Night and First Day celebrations on New Year's Eve and Day so I took the subway from Braintree into Boston's Park Street station to wander a bit on New Year's Day - see the ice sculptures, performers, and crowds enjoying the holiday - and get in my 10,000 daily step goal. It is advantageous getting on the subway at the beginning of the line, a seat is always available.



Waiting for the train to depart, I considered the lowly subway hand-strap.  What an engineering marvel in the simplest detail. It must be almost indestructible, flexible, strong, dependable for anyone who holds on to it. We can build things to last when we want to and have to.

There was a woman listening to music with her earbuds but also singing softly along to the music - a beautiful voice - either oblivious to or unconcerned with others. Gentle, sweet, and melodious - at ease with herself and the world. Real life being lived.

Riding the subway is always a great a opportunity for people watching - the cars have perimeter seating about 20 down each side facing inwards instead of rows. Although facing each other, most folks generally avoid eye contact although I did try to talk a woman out of her box of Mike's pastries full of fresh cannolis from the North End. But she wouldn't give it up.

Riding the subway gives me a different perspective, I see different things, think different thoughts, have different insights. It is less comfortable and louder than riding in a car but, much less expensive than paying to park a car downtown, less environmental footprint, and way more interesting.



It was gray, cloudy, and cold but........



....not quite cold enough to have prevented the ice sculptures from steadily melting.

Copley Plaza had been transformed into a party area with ice sculptures, street performers, and a musical stage.

And of course, the pigeons were out in full force looking for handouts.

The 1877 Trinity Church served as the backdrop for the stage with the adjacent Hancock Tower at right reaching up 790 feet into the sky.

This young rocker and his band were having a great time entertaining the crowd.



His rendition of Jimi Hendrix's tune, "Foxy Lady," made me want to create an old style black and white newspaper kind of image befitting that era.



This country band had the crowd going as well.

The performer's perspective.

Elsewhere on the plaza, a clown poses for photos.



And a juggler juggles five green tennis balls and one subway "T" sign.



Another clown with a rubber chicken on a fishing pole attracted children like the pied piper.











I walked back to the Park Street station via Commonwealth Avenue where this classy home decorated in holiday splendor caught my eye.



A brisk walk through the Public Garden and I saw one of the regulars performing on the bridge.



And back in the parking garage in Braintree to head home, I caught this puddle reflection.

A 10,000 step photo walk is both tactical and strategic. No lingering in one place, keep moving along, keep the limbs moving and the heart pumping. At the end, I have some good exercise and images with which to create a blog.  Boston is a world class city and always a pleasure to visit.